Australian heavy vehicle drivers will now have a choice in how they record their work and rest hours, with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator approving the first Electronic Work Diaries (EWD). Source: Timberbiz
An EWD is an electronic recording system, approved by the NHVR, used to record the work and rest times of a driver as a voluntary alternative to the Written Work Diary.
Federal Member for Barker said moving to and investing in EWDs was an investment in employee safety and better productivity.
“We know that the transport industry is managing excessive amounts of work diary paperwork and this is resulting in inefficiencies and lower productivity,” Tony Pasin said.
“The Morrison-McCormack Government wants to see more freight moving, a safer more productive industry and less red tape.
“This announcement will enable truck drivers, operators and companies right here in Barker to focus on getting the job done safely and more effectively.
“EWD’s puts a greater focus on managing driver fatigue, rather than managing the book – that is an important step in improving safety for the trucking and transport industry.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the rollout of EWDs from 1 December would mean drivers can put down the pen, paper and ruler when recording work and rest hours.
“Congratulations to local Australian companies Step Global and Teletrac Navman who have met the strict requirements to provide an alternative to a written work diary,” Mr McCormack said.
“The work diary has been a requirement for fatigue-related heavy vehicles for more than half a century, and today more than 200,000 Written Work Diaries are used by heavy vehicle drivers each year.
“This announcement will cut this red tape enabling drivers to record their work and rest hours by simply pressing a button, rather than spending time ruling lines and counting multiple time periods on multiple pieces of paper.”
The EWD Policy Framework and Standards were developed in association with technology providers, transport operators, police and transport authorities in 2018 and were subject to comprehensive review and consultation.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said both companies are technology partners with a number of heavy vehicle operators, which should see a broad rollout across industry.
“This approval gives the providers the green light to work with their partners to use their products as an approved fatigue management system,” Mr Buchholz said.
“We know both technology companies have a number of transport and logistics operators that are ready and eager to adopt the technology and we should see a good uptake across the industry.
“I congratulate Step Global and Teletrac Navman, this is a historic moment for Australia’s heavy vehicle industry and has the potential to make the work environments of our drivers safer and improve productivity for the industry.”
